Crime & Safety

'Elvis' to Benefit Abington PAL

Elvis tribute artist Doug Church and comedian Joe Conklin will perform at the Keswick in early April to benefit Abington PAL.

The Abington Police Athletic League will present Elvis tribute artist Doug Church with his all-new review at the Keswick Theatre on Thursday, April 11 at 7 p.m. Local comedian Joe Conklin, known as the man of a thousand voices, will open the evening with a family-friendly act. 

This concert will benefit the Abington Police Athletic League, an organization that provides recreational and educational activities and programs for township boys and girls from age 11 through high school.  A portion of the proceeds will also go to established funds for the children of both slain Plymouth Township Officer Brad Fox and Glenside Weldon volunteer firefighter David G. Kelble Jr., who lost his life in a day job accident. 

A highlight of the evening will include Church bringing Abington PAL children and Abington Police Officers on stage for his own special tribute. Church is known on the world stage as “The True Voice of Elvis. Dedicated Elvis fans find in Church the same vocal quality, wit, and humor that they loved in their idol, and they appreciate his humble, sincere manner is paying tribute with his performances.  He has performed from Moscow to Las Vegas.

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Conklin has been in the Philadelphia radio scene for more than 20 years.  As a stand-up comic, he has roasted national personalities in politics and sports as well as movie stars.  He can bring to life on the stage a host of celebrity voices, making people think those notables are standing before them.

Detective Sergeants Greg Urban and Tony DiSandro, 30- and 27-year veterans of the Abington Township Police Department, respectively, are both long-tine Elvis aficionados.  They originated this concert idea that was successfully carried out in 2012 to give back to the community they protect.

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“Last year’s concert was the first chance that many attendees heard Doug Church. They gave such great reviews — some even commenting that they felt they had been to a Las Vegas show — that we decided to bring back Doug Church for those who liked him so much to return and for other folks to discover his magic,” Urban said. “Adding the local flavor of comedian Joe Conklin seemed like a perfect paring, and already excitement is building to see him as well.

“Everyone attending needs to realize that in addition to enjoying a great evening of top-drawer entertainment, they are also supporting charities to help children — both those who attend Abington PAL which provides all programs at no cost so that no child is ever turned away and the children of two community servants whose lives were taken at early ages,” he continued.

Urban goes on to say that DiSandro is a great partner in this effort.

Business owners are invited to consider one of the package opportunities that give them advertising space in the program book and tickets to the event.  A program will be given to each attendee. 

“Abington PAL has every hope of filling the Keswick Theatre to its 1300-seat capacity,” Urban said.

Tickets are on sale through the Keswick Theatre box office either in person, by phone at 215-572-7650, or at www.keswicktheatre.com, as well as through Abington PAL at 267-536-1100 x 1509.  Senior and group discounts are available. 

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Information courtesy of Rosemary Hinkle/Abington Police Department


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